"Transexual people have suffered over the years, a lot of laughter," she said. "Probably like the old days when the black-and-white minstrels put on a show... Obviously, black people would find that offensive."

It is a view that she has expressed on social media as recently as November.

Drag is gay guys dressing up. Can you name a straight one? With the very rare exception identical to pantomime dames. How is that homophobic. Like the minstrels, they do it for entertainment. Clearly you have never had gender dysphoria. https://t.co/Wvge7RqevO

Celebrity Big Brother continues with a 90-minute live special on Tuesday (January 9) at 9pm on Channel 5, where the housemates will make face-to-face nominations. Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side, hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal, follows at 11.35pm.